Nail-biting moments for Oommen Chandy

The Puthupally home of Congress leader Oommen Chandy had never seen such a political suspense thriller. The minute-by-minute ups and downs and bouncing back of the Congress and the UDF kept all on tenterhooks. The photo-finish race between UDF and the LDF impacted Karottu Vallakalil House and Chandy himself for a while.

All roads in the small town led to the narrow lane where Chandy's home is situated, when the initial trends of the counting came in.

Long queues of two and four-wheelers crowded the two sides of the road, apart from the media fraternity.

Small groups of party workers and supporters waving party flags thronged the place with slogans hailing their leader. Some distributed sweets and a group even brought artistes to perform chendamelam.

Soon after the initial trends came in, the mobile phones around Chandy and the landline began ringing with congratulations from Congress president Sonia Gandhi,Union Ministers A K Antony and Vayalar Ravi and AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai. Tamil actor Bala also rang up Chandy and offered his wishes.

The close race was a chilling experience even as Chandy's victory margin in Puthupally was zooming as never before and clocked a record of 33,255 votes.

He started quick calculations in a piece of paper and drafted his trusted aides and son Chandy Oommen to keep a tab on the latest results and brief him regularly. A visiblytensed Chandy gave instructions to slow down the celebrations and keep waiting.

When one of his supporters insisted on having a candy, he politely refused and remained keen on the results from Manalur, Piravom, Trithala and Ettumanoor.Family members, including Chandy's daughters and relatives, were also in the crowd in the drawing room anxiously awaiting the final tally.

At one point of time, when the difference between UDF and LDF narrowed down to just one seat, his close relatives withdrew to the inner rooms where his wife Mariamma was also there.

Meanwhile, many among the restless party workers began to shout and scream and one among them even prostrated in front of him.

Chandy's attempt to prevail upon them was in vain and after some time, when the poll picture became clear with a UDF upperhand in 72 segments, he gave the nod for rejoicing.

Jostling and dancing partymen lifted their leader in the frontyard of the house, till he moved to the nearby St George Church to offer his thanksgiving prayers.

Later he moved to the counting station at Kottayam MD Seminary School to sign and accept his papers.

All his supporters were in a merry mood and took out processions all over Puthuppally.